Thursday, August 20, 2015

Organising Zero Waste Events

oInvitations (most) can go by
email with explicit instructions not to print.

oSMS or phone calls also
work for some participants.

·Chart Paper /Flip Charts

oMore use of Green boards/White
Boards/Power Points for group work and presentation reduce use of paper and
ink.

·Wrapping paper

oConference releases/gifts
should be wrapped in recycled /handmade paper and not plastic wrappers.

·Printing conference
reports

oAll materials emerging
from the event could be circulated online or circulated amongst participants
through pen drives/drop box instead of printing or using CDs.

:: Food and water

·No throw away plastic, Styrofoam, thermacol or paper products
should be used to serve food and beverages

oNo packaged drinking water
should be used. Boiled and filtered water kept at strategic places would
totally reduce the use of PET bottles. Participants should also be encouraged
to bring their own drinking bottle.

·Food should be sourced as far as possible locally which
reduces its carbon foot print and supports local economy.

·Use locally produced biscuits or other snacks instead of
packaged snacks that come in non-recyclable plastics

·Instead of sweets in wrapping paper local hard boiled sweets
could be used removing wrapping paper waste.

oAdditionally possibilities
for linking food waste to people who rear pigs/cattle as feed or community
compost/bio-gas units can be explored in advance.

oRain water and grey water
use should be promoted in an event space like a community hall.

:: Stationery

·Use cloth banner which will
also promote local livelihood instead of one - time use flex banners.

·Encourage participants to carry own
stationery such as notebooks and pens. Keep only limited numbers for those who
need.

·Promote local handmade products
for welcome kit of folders/ bags or make them from recycled materials

·Reuse old materials to make
name tags OR have name tags deposited for reuse post event

:: Energy

oCar pools for transfer of
participants to venues could be worked out in advance with some planning.

oUse of electricity during
event should be optimised. Promote switching off when not in use.